Original: もしもこの世が舞台なら、楽屋はどこにあるのだろう
In 1984 Shibuya, four quirky young souls navigate life’s struggles while chasing joy in a city bursting with hope.
Aspiring theater director Mitsunari Kube is ousted from his own troupe. As he wanders the backstreets of Shibuya, he finds a shady-looking theater.
Kube gets hired to do lighting at WS Theater. However, the theater faces the risk of closure after police officer Ose arrests dancer Mone mid-performance.
As Kube fervently rewrites a Shakespeare play for the WS Theater, Horai and Rika offer him some advice that causes him to throw a tantrum.
The theater prepares for the opening night of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream". Happun Shrine priestess Juri expresses her desire to leave the neighborhood.
On the day of the opening performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” a religious purification ceremony is held onstage for good luck and protection.
At WS Theater, a starstruck Kube is delighted to receive praise from famed Shakespearean actor Reizaburo Koreo and invites him to the after-party.
With Koreo on board, Kube confidently proclaims to the manager and his wife that the theater will put on “The Winter’s Tale” the following week.
During one of the scenes in “The Winter’s Tale”, Koreo and Kento are suddenly heckled by somebody in the audience, who turns out to be Rika’s ex-lover.
Kube tells Rika he hopes to stage “Hamlet” once the theater gets on track. At the shrine, Juri can’t stop wondering about Rika and Kube.
An awestruck Kube is thrilled to speak with esteemed director Ninagawa Yukio. Later, Kube and Asano confront theater owner Jessie Saiga.
Hamlet opens at the WS Theater. To Kube’s bewilderment, Ose’s Laertes steals the show. Crisis strikes when Rika loses confidence backstage.
